Kingsville's premier music festival is undergoing major changes, including a change of venue and a name change.
Artistic Director John Law told WindsorNewsToday.ca that organizers decided to change the name of the Kingsville Folk Music Festival to Kingsville Music Society.
Kingsville Folk Festival co-founders and producers Michele and John Law. Photo by Mark Brown/Blackburn News.
"It was the Kingsville Folk Music Festival for many years, and we're just reflecting all the different styles that we're doing. It's easier to figure us out," he laughed.
After cancelling the festival in 2020, organizers did hold a one-day event last year and booked performances every Saturday during Kingsville Open Streets.
"As much as they would allow us," said Law referring to COVID-19 public health restrictions, which prohibited large public gatherings last summer.
Once again, this year's event will be over three days, August 12 to August 14, but it won't be in Lakeside Park. Instead, Law said different venues in Kingsville will host the performances.
Friday night, the society presents Durham County Poets and Big Little Lions at 6 p.m. at Kingsville Brewery on Park Street. Later in the evening, Garnet Rogers, The Slocan Ramblers, and Kathleen Edwards perform.
Saturday night, mainstage offers at the same venue include Sarah Smith, Elliott Brood, Ashley McIssac and former Barenaked Ladies Frontman Steven Page.
(Photo courtesy of the Kingsville Music Society)
Tickets for those concerts are still available, but the society is also offering free music during the day on Saturday at three different locations, The Grovedale House, Mettawas Station Restaurant, and The Grove Brewing Company. Organizers have dubbed it the Greenway Jam.
The entire lineup this year is Canadian.
A wrap-up party is on Sunday at Pelee Island Winery.
Law said he was excited to be back to planning larger events, but the threat of COVID-19 remains a concern.
"There's still some speculation that everything's going to be okay. We're taking the positive route and hoping it will be fine," he said. "The whole industry took a hit."
The threat of COVID-19 was also behind the decision to leave Lakeside Park.
"A year ago, we didn't know what it was going to look like yet with COVID and what the restrictions were going to be," he explained. "We thought maybe fencing everybody into a single park not be a great idea. So, we came up with this idea."
Organizing an event like this usually take a year.
In the meantime, the society is maintaining its focus on smaller musical performances this summer. Music lovers can catch The Touring Troubadours every Thursday night in July and August. On Saturday evenings, live music is planned at Open Streets Kingsville.
The Rhythm of the World Series features Okan on May 29 and Quique Escamilla on June 12 at Pelee Island Winery.